Cars made of tomatoes: Heinz and Ford ink bio-plastics partnership

Published on: 30 Sep 2015

Ford motors have already invested in cellulose fiber-reinforced console components and soy foam seat cushions, so it was only a matter of time before their approach to sustainability got even more innovative – but tomatoes? Yes, everyone’s favourite little fruit has been identified by the car manufacturer as the next stop in bio-engineering and has resulted in their latest partnership with the world’s leading ketchup manufacturer – Heinz.

The Heinz/ Ford partnership will use byproducts from the manufacturing process of Heinz tomato ketchup – largely tomato peels, stems and seeds – to help make the wiring brackets or storage bins in a Ford car. “We are delighted that the technology has been validated,” said Vidhu Nagpal, associate director, packaging R&D for Heinz. “Although we are in the very early stages of research, and many questions remain, we are excited about the possibilities this could produce for both Heinz and Ford, and the advancement of sustainable 100 percent plant-based plastics.”

The research forms part of Ford’s global sustainability strategy to lessen its environmental footprint; a strategy which has also seen the company invest in cellulose fiber-reinforced console components and soy foam seat cushions and head restrains.